Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in the national Stadium in Dhaka last night and was knocked out of the Asia Cup.
It was Pakistan’s second loss in the tournament as they had been toppled by India as well in their first game.
Now, they have to play Sri Lanka on Friday which will be a dead rubber.
The Pakistani team had come into the Asia Cup on the back of the Pakistan Super League and thus, had been considered as a strong contender, but, it was the same old story of irresponsible batting and lethargic fielding from them.
Their bowling was fast and furious as always or even more so with the arrival of Mohammad Amir, but, the rest two departments let them down.
The games against India and Bangladesh which they lost, they just didn’t put enough runs on the board.
83 and 129 are not the scores which give you the guarantee of winning matches especially when you have a fielding as inefficient and inconsistent as Pakistan’s is.
Pakistan’s selections have been a bit questionable too. They have played Khurram Manzoor three games in a row despite the fact that he is looking all out of sorts.
They could have been better off playing an extra bowler in the form of Wahab Riaz in the Bangladesh game and getting an all rounder, maybe Anwar Ali slightly up the batting order.
Riaz was dropped after just an off day against India which was bizarre because he has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler lately and on pitches with a little seam movement, he can make big impact.
The team management might want to bring him back on Friday against Sri Lanka.
That game is important for Pakistan not only for their pride, but, also, for their confidence before the World Championship that is only weeks away.